Project Manager, UVA Manning SPARK Program

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia is seeking a Project Manager for the UVA Manning SPARK Program, based on-site in Charlottesville, VA. You will drive execution of a growing portfolio of early-stage drug discovery and development programs, partnering with SPARK investigators, industry advisors, and external partners to move projects toward licensing or clinical development.

Reporting to the COO and Senior Project Manager of Operations, you will manage stage-gate milestones, budgets, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• 4+ years of relevant experience required.
• PMP certification required within one year of hire if not held.

Responsibilities

• Program planning with SPARK investigators to develop and maintain a Target Product Profile (TPP) and integrated project plan, budget, timeline, milestones, and risk register.
• Track program progress against milestones and scorecards; organize stage-gate reviews; synthesize considerations into recommendations for leadership; drive action on decisions.
• Plan and manage lead optimization and IND-enabling studies (DMPK, safety/toxicology, CMC/formulation) and support regulatory strategy, including pre-IND with external experts.
• Identify, evaluate, engage and manage CROs/CDMOs, consultants, and other external partners; manage scopes of work, budgets, timelines, and data quality; steward program budgets.
• Engage SPARK investigators and partners; coordinate with licensing and ventures groups to support IP strategy, licensing, and follow-on funding.
• Coordinate student and faculty teams across UVA for commercial, market, payer, IP, and regulatory analyses for SPARK programs.
• Develop and improve portfolio governance: intake, stage-gate criteria, decision processes, reporting cadence, metrics, and tools; track INDs, licenses, and company formation; produce dashboards.
• Manage SPARK Tank competition cycle and liaise with Stanford SPARK GLOBAL for education and cross-institution programs.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Vendor management

Project governance

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. in biomedical or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

The University of Virginia is seeking a Project Manager for the UVA Manning SPARK Program within the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology (Manning Institute). A member of the Stanford SPARK GLOBAL network, UVA Manning SPARK advances promising academic discoveries toward new medicines. Reporting to the Chief Business and Strategy Officer and Director of the UVA Manning SPARK Program, the Project Manager will drive the execution of a growing portfolio of early-stage drug discovery and development programs advancing projects from academic discovery toward licensing, company formation, or clinical development.

This role brings industry drug development discipline and execution rigor to academic science. The Project Manager works hands-on with SPARK investigators, industry advisors and mentors, contract research and development partners, and student teams, while partnering closely with the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer and the Senior Project Manager of Operations. This an onsite position based at the Manning Institute in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Key Responsibilities

• Program planning: Partnering with each SPARK investigator and relevant advisors to develop and maintain a Target Product Profile (TPP) and an integrated project plan, budget, timeline, milestones and risk register, using the SPARK Drug Discovery & Development Handbook and Project Plan Template.
• Stage-gate execution: Track program progress against established milestones and SPARK Program Scorecards; organize stage-gate and advisor reviews; synthesize scientific, development, financial and operational considerations into clear recommendations for Manning Institute leadership; and drive follow through on decision and action items.
• Drug development: Planning and managing lead optimization and IND-enabling studies (DMPK, safety/toxicology, CMC/formulation) and support regulatory strategy , including pre-IND preparation, with external experts.
• External Partners and budgets: Identifying, evaluate, engage and manage CROs and CDMOs, consultanats and other external partners including scope of work, proposals, contracting, timelines, deliverables, performance and data quality; steward program budgets in partnership with the COO’s office and University financial and contracting partners.
• Investigator and partner engagement: Build effective working relationships with SPARK investigators, maintaining a regular operating cadence to identify issues, drive decisions, and advance program milestones. Coordinate engagement with internal and external scientific and industry advisors, UVA Licensing & Ventures Group, and other partners to support intellectual property strategy, licensing, company formation, and follow-on funding opportunities.
• Student and interdisciplinary teams: Coordinating student and faculty supported project teams across UVA that contribute commercial, market, payer, intellectual property, regulatory and other analysis to SPARK Programs.
• Portfolio management and governance: Developing and continuously improve the UVA Manning SPARK portfolio management and governance framework including program intake and selection, stage-gate criteria, decision processes, reporting cadence, metrics, and standard tools. Track portfolio performance and outcomes including INDs, licenses, company formation, and follow-on funding, and preparing decision oriented portfolio dashboards and recommendations for Institute leadership.
• SPARK program operations and network management: Manag the annual SPARK Tank competition cycle and serve as a key operational liaison with Stanford SPARK GLOBAL leveraging the network for education, best-practice sharing, expertise, and cross-institution programs.
• Performing other duties as assigned in support of the Manning Institutes mission.

Professional Expectations and Values Alignment

The successful candidate pairs scientific credibility with operational rigor, earns the trust of investigators and advisors, and applies project management discipline pragmatically and thoughtfully, without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

• People First: demonstrating respect, collaboration, and care for faculty, staff, students, partners, and colleagues.
• Integrity: acting with honesty, discretion, and accountability in all aspects of work.
• Patient Impact: maintaining line-of-sight to how the Institute’s work advances human health and improves patient outcomes.
• Entrepreneurship: embracing innovation, adaptability, and creative problem-solving in the face of ambiguity.
• Scientific Excellence: supporting rigorous, high-quality science and evidence-based decision-making.
• Stewardship: responsibly managing institutional resources, time, and trust in service of the Institute’s mission.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Master's degree required.

Experience: 4+ years of relevant experience required.

Licensure: None (at time of hire), unless otherwise specified by position - PMP certification (required within one year of hire if not held).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biomedical or related scientific discipline.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet).
• Experience with technology commercialization, licensing, company formation, or building translational programs in an entrepreneurial environment.
• At least four years of progressively responsible project or program management experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, or an equivalent translational drug development environment.
• Demonstrated experience directly managing one or more therapeutic development programs through major development milestones, including IND-enabling studies, IND submission, or entry into clinical development.
• Working knowledge of Target Product Profiles, stage-gate portfolio governance, drug development planning, and IND-enabling strategy.
• Experience selecting and managing CROs, CDMOs, consultants, and other external development partners, including scopes of work, budgets, timelines, deliverables, and performance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously, create accountability across teams without direct authority, and build productive relationships with academic investigators, industry experts, and institutional partners. Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The anticipated hiring range is $115,000-$125,000 commensurate with education and experience.

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .

This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Additional Requirements

Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .